During the 2005 session, the Assembly accomplished a great deal and broke new ground to improve the
quality of life for residents of New York City.

From passing an on-time budget for the first time in 21 years, to ensuring that you have extra protections
against telemarketers and fraudulent businesses, to providing easy access to the health care information
you need when making medical decisions, I worked hard to ensure that your best interests are served.

Maintaining your safety, increasing your savings and ensuring you have the overall best health care
available are always top priorities. While we’ve accomplished a lot in 2005, there’s still more to be
done, and I will continue to work to improve the quality of life and reduce the cost of living for you
and your loved ones.

Sincerely,
Assemblywoman
Michele R. Titus
Member of Assembly

Prescription Drug Prices on the Web for Easy Comparison Shopping

Assemblywoman Titus wants you to find the best prices for your
prescription drugs. That’s why she supported a law (Chap. 293 of
2005) that requires drug retail price lists to be posted on a single Web
site, making it more convenient to get the medicines you need at the
best price.

To compare prices until the comprehensive statewide site is launched, visit the New York
Attorney General’s Web site, www.NYAGRx.org, where you’ll find prices for many pharmacies
in the state.

Senior Renters Save More with Increased SCRIE Exemptions

The Assembly passed a law that increases the income eligiblity for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase
Exemption program to $29,000 over the next five years (Chap. 205 of 2005).

Under the legislation, eligible seniors 62 years of age or older who pay more than one-third of their
monthly income for rent controlled, regulated or stabilized apartments can enjoy a significant tax exemption
over the next five years. Income eligibility limits are as follows:

$25,000 on July 1, 2005$26,000 on July 1, 2006$27,000 on July 1, 2007$28,000 on July 1, 2008$29,000 on July 1, 2009

With this increase, New York City seniors can rest assurred that they can qualify for this critical, cost-saving
program even if their incomes increase through cost-of-living adjustments to pensions and social security benefits.

Assemblywoman Titus supported the Home Equity Theft Prevention Act, which protects homeowners from
losing their home’s equity (A.7667-A). The legislation protects homeowners from
unscrupulous lenders by ensuring that all contracts are completed in easy-to-understand language clearly stating
the seller’s rights for cancellation, and restricting businesses from making any misleading or manipulating
statements about pending transactions. Violators face fines up to $25,000 and one year in jail.

To learn more about how to protect yourself from scam artists, contact the New York State Consumer Protection
Board at 1-800-697-1220 or visit online at
www.consumer.state.ny.us.

Assembly Makes it Easier to Stop Annoying Telemarketers

New York State established the Do Not Call Registry in 2001 so residents can sign up to stop unwanted sales
calls. However, due to a loophole in the law, some telemarketers continue to interrupt meals and cause an
annoyance. Assemblywoman Titus helped close the loophole, ensuring telemarketers cannot rely on
loosely-translated “established business relationships” to justify additional calls
(A.7710).

To sign up for the Do Not Call Registry, log onto www.donotcall.gov
or call 1-888-382-1222.

Non-Driver Photo IDs Available

New York residents 62 years of age or older who do not drive can obtain an official Department of Motor Vehicles
identification card at a reduced price of just $6.50.

To make the identification affordable for more seniors, Assemblywoman Titus has sponsored legislation
(A.5790) that would allow individuals receiving Supplemental Security
Income benefits to obtain the ID free-of-charge.

Eliminate the Worry of Long-Term Care
The New York State Partnership for Long-Term Care brings private insurance providers and Medicaid
together to assist individuals in preparing for needing a nursing home or other long-term health care.
If seniors’ income qualifies them while on Medicaid and the duration of the care exceeds their private
insurance coverage, their assets will be protected and they will be able to maintain their financial
independence. More information can be found at
www.ins.state.ny.us or by calling 1-800-342-3736.

Have Trusted Family or Friends Make Decisions on Your Medical Treatment
The New York Health Care Proxy allows you to select a trusted adult family member or friend to make medical
decisions in the event that you are unable to do so, including whether or not to provide life-sustaining treatment.
By selecting a Health Care Agent, you determine how much authority they have over your medical decisions.
Information about living wills and health care proxy forms are available by calling my office.

Get the Info You Need When Seriously Ill
When you or a family member are diagnosed with a serious illness, learn your health care rights and how to
make sure your insurance coverage is adequate by calling the New York State Insurance Department at
1-866-694-6743 or logging on to www.insurancehelpny.com.